Africa-Press – Uganda. Traders operating in JBK Plaza, one of Kampala’s busiest commercial buildings, have been left in tears and disbelief after discovering that their shops were broken into and large sums of money stolen by yet-to-be-identified robbers.
The daring overnight heist, which occurred on Saturday, has sparked outrage among business owners and renewed calls for tighter security in city arcades.
According to eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage reviewed by police, a group of about five robbers—all dressed in white clothing broke into several shops inside the building. In a shocking twist, one of the suspects is believed to be a security guard employed at the plaza, identified only as Bosco.
The footage, captured from the building’s surveillance cameras, shows the robbers moving strategically through the premises.
They appeared to have prior knowledge of the layout, targeting only cash while leaving behind clothes and other merchandise.
At one point, the suspects are seen switching off power on one floor and attempting to tamper with CCTV cameras. Despite their efforts, their faces and movements were still recorded clearly.
By early Sunday morning, traders arriving to open their shops were met with scenes of chaos—broken locks, scattered goods, and emptied safes. Many could be seen weeping as they inspected the damage and counted their losses, which some said ran into millions of shillings.
“We found our safes open and everything gone. We work day and night, only for thieves to take everything,” lamented one trader, visibly distraught.
Police officers from the Central Police Station (CPS) Kampala swiftly arrived at the scene to begin investigations, collect evidence, and record statements from the affected traders.
Deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed the incident, revealing that 17 shops were broken into during the robbery.
“Our teams are on the ground, reviewing the footage and following leads. We are investigating reports that one of the building’s guards is missing and could have been involved,” Owoyesigyire said.
The missing security guard, Bosco, is alleged to have disappeared with the keys to the main gate, leaving traders locked out until they were forced to break in themselves. Many now suspect that he may have masterminded the operation.
Adding to the traders’ frustration, some accused the building’s owner of neglecting their safety and failing to address longstanding security lapses.
They claim the management had previously been warned about weak security arrangements and poorly maintained surveillance systems.
“This is not the first time something like this has happened here,” another trader said. “We have complained for months about poor lighting and untrained guards, but no one listens.”
Tensions flared when a group of angry traders stormed what they believed to be the landlord’s shop, demanding answers. They instead found women claiming to be his daughters, prompting heated exchanges before police intervened to calm the situation.
Despite the emotional toll of the robbery, traders were instructed to open for business on Sunday, a directive that many described as insensitive given their losses.
The police have since launched a full-scale investigation into the incident and are hunting for the missing security guard and his suspected accomplices. Meanwhile, authorities are urging building owners across Kampala to tighten security measures to prevent similar incidents.
As investigations continue, the JBK Plaza traders remain fearful and uncertain about their future—left not only counting their financial losses but also questioning their safety in one of the city’s most prominent commercial hubs.
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